[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING BARRY LYNN COATES

 Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, today I wish to honor one of South 
Carolina's veterans, Barry Lynn Coates. Mr. Coates recently passed away 
at the age of 46 on January 23, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. 
He became the voice for veterans across the nation as he fought hard to 
improve the Veterans Affairs medical system. He fought not for himself, 
but to improve the lives of all veterans suffering from delays in their 
medical care.
  About a year after first complaining to his doctors of pain, he was 
finally able to get a colonoscopy. Doctors discovered a cancerous tumor 
the size of a baseball. At that point he had stage 4 cancer, and it was 
only a matter of time before he was overtaken by the illness. He 
suffered for months. A simple medical procedure might have saved his 
life, but he found himself on a growing list of veterans waiting for 
appointments and procedures. Barry Lynn Coates was courageous in his 
fight against cancer and in his fight for other veterans to receive the 
care they deserve.
  Lynn is survived by his wife, their five children, five 
grandchildren, and a community that loved his bubbly personality and 
passion for pawn shops and for fixing things. He loved the beach, 
nature, his family above everything, and he lived for the service of 
his country.
  It is with pride and honor we recognize Barry Lynn Coates and his 
family today and add their legacy to our March 17, 2016, Congressional 
Record. We will never forget his sacrifice.

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